Thoughts and observations through the journey of life.

March 16, 2011

"My hair has started coming out...some tears...it's o.k." That was the text message in response to mine, "On way home, how are you?"

Dr. Jim Richards and I were moving up I-35 after two very good Praying and Listening sessions in New Braunfels and Pflugerville. It had been 13 days since Cheryl's first chemo treatment. Her second was today. The medical staff was right on target.

What is this thing with the emotion of losing one's hair? Cheryl sleeps well. That is an answer to prayer. I sometimes wake up at weird hours. The body clock is resisting springing forward.

I woke up at 2 a.m. this morning, asking that question. My thoughts were drawn to 1 Corinthians 11. Paul speaks of the covering of the woman in the context of prayer and prophecy. "But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory for her;" (1 Cor. 11:15a). Glory in this passage is a reference to dignity, honor.

We have experienced little of this in comparison to many, but there can be severe and frequent indignities related to cancer. These are some of the hidden sufferings the disease brings.

More and more I am convinced of the truth of Luke 11:11. We are asking for a fish. God will not give a serpent, or a snake. This is a serpent and we are asking God to kill the snake!

Today was chemo treatment #2. Two down, two to go. This is Chemo Day 1 of the second cycle.

We were very blessed in the first cycle. Cheryl did not experience nausea nor pain that required medication, even over-the-counter medication. When she went for chemo today, her blood work was "perfect"! She has experienced fatigue. We are very positive and know the medical team is "treating for cure".

We have been blessed by friends. The fridge is filled with frozen meals to thaw and cook as well as other food that is healthy and helpful. A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE PROVIDED THIS!!

The support of family and friends is deeply appreciated. Grandchildren as well as children are helping. Today a grandson went to chemo with her and tomorrow the granddaughter is going with Cheryl as she gets her injection. The grandsons in S. Texas call and have sent a wonderful card. She is surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. We are grateful.

Please continue to pray. Pray that God in His mercy will continue to spare Cheryl from nausea often associated with chemo. Pray she will be spared from pain often associated with the injection she receives the day after chemo. Pray for healing. We do believe that to be within God's will and believe this is a detour.

Pray for the grace to accept some of the side effects such as loss of hair. I have said, "You are not your hair." We shall approach the indignity with dignity and complete trust in the Lord.

The church where I am interim is presenting a candidate for pastor. It is time. This will allow more focus in my life. I have a new prayer conference/workshop/seminar called "PrayTheGospel". Please pray God will use that and open whatever opportunity he has at this time, whether that seminar of something else. We are His...confidently!

Thank you for caring and praying! Thank you Steve and Jackie for organizing a 1 p.m. daily prayer time for Cheryl's healing. We are grateful for all of you.

October 23, 2010

What's in a name? Sometimes nothing. Sometimes everything. He's 16 months and the youngest grandchild. We were at the oldest grandchild's celebrating her birthday. In walks the little toddler, comes over to where I am seated, points, and says "Pap-Pap". First time he's said that. And he hasn't stopped. Yes, I am loving it!

"Pap-Pap" is his effort to say "Papaw". And he's getting there. Today he actually got to "papaw" a time or two!

Almost every grandparent in the extended family got to choose their name. I did not. Our two oldest children remember my dad, and this little fellow's mother was less than 3 months old when Dad died at age 66 from lung cancer. He was "Papaw", and when they had children, I became "Papaw". What an honor!

Let me tell you a little about my Dad. It's been a long time and I see more clearly. Dad had an 8th grade education. He was the 7th in a large, dirt poor, family. His father was a coal miner. Dad was literally beaten and pulled out of bed one morning and taken to the coal mines to work. His father thought he had enough education and told him, "Boy, we've got mouths to feed." This was depression Appalachia.

Dad was a very good baseball player. That was confirmed when I showed up for my first practice in Babe Ruth League and the coach was reading our names. He came to mine and said, "Are you Ted Elmore's boy?" I said, "Yessir". He said, "Get out there in the outfield. If you are Ted Elmore's boy, you can play baseball." I started every game. Dad once had a scout from the Pittsburg Pirates tell him if he could get to Florida for spring training, he would likely make the team. But he was told by his father, "No boy of mine is going to go off playing ball when we've got hungry mouths to feed."

I went to my first Texas Ranger game in the old park with my dad. We were both adults. Almost every opportunity Dad had or sought to have was taken from him and given to another. I watched things in my youth I did not then understand. Now I understand them all too well.

Although many of his dreams did not materialize, he encouraged me in his own way. He struggled with being critical. I do too. Dad had an incredible gift of discernment and sometimes the flesh got in the way.

The stories are old and some are very sad. I do not intend to disparage my grandfather. He was a poor man in a very different and difficult time trying to do right and survive. My father missed opportunity, most likely because his father could not see beyond today's need. My father took it to a new level. In spite of all else, he and Mom made certain that my sister and myself did not grow up as they had.

At this season in my life, I have three temporary "jobs" that enable me to have one full-time salary without benefits. We pay for those. And I am grateful. But I know every day that my life can be radically changed by somebody else's decision and I have no recourse.

There are things I learned from my father that help me navigate this season of my life. I want to share some of those lessons taught by the original "Papaw" and I hope to communicate them to our grandchildren.

1. I learned to trust God. I watched my father in all his ways lean not to his own understanding, but in every way leaned upon God. Provision and joy come from the hand of God.

2. I learned the Bible was God's inerrant Word. I was taught that prior to the Conservative Resurgence in Southern Baptist life. I remember memorizing Psalm 23 and reciting it in church at either 5 or 6.

3. I learned the value of prayer. I have numerous stories I could tell.

4. I learned to do my own thinking. This is tough in today's religious environment. The pressure is huge to dress like, look like, use the same translation of Scripture, same buzz words, same heroes, etc., etc., etc., ad nausea. But God doesn't use clones.

5. And one of the most important - I learned that ministry that lasts is always personal. It is never about honor, prestige, structure, organizations, etc. They only serve if they are infrastructures for intensely personal ministry. Otherwise, they are wood, hay, and stubble.

Jesus said a little child would lead. And this weekend he has. So, whether "Pap-Pap" or "Papaw", the title is filled with meaning for me.

September 01, 2009

This past weekend I was with some friends from one of the newly affiliated congregations with the SBTC. One of the men at the table is in law enforcement and works in the area of human trafficking.

Even though I have served as a police officer and am somewhat familiar with the subject, I was appalled to hear what really goes on. Let me hasten to add that his comments were very brief and in response to my direct questions. This man certainly was not the center of attention nor were his answers much more than generalities. But even that was appalling.

So what can the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ do? What should we do?

We must be informed. Local law enforcement agencies can assist with education in this area.

We must be a welcoming, loving, and inviting people. People do not join "churches". They join people. The Church is the Body of Christ and each of us are members in particular. This is one reason I continue to emphasize the need for true Community. For victims of these crimes, their relatives and friends who live in fear of those who do traffic in the human person, and others, we are to in the words of Jude, "save..by snatching them from the fire;" (Jude 23, HCSB). It is biblical truth that outsiders will see our unity in Christ and realize that God loves them (John 17:23). This is Community in its fullest expression...Loving God, Loving People, Living in harmony with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We must be a people of prayer. As we begin this new school year, are you praying for the teachers, children, and workers in the school system? Drive around the property. Ask God to build a spiritual hedge of protection for the children. Pray that God will expose any inside the system who would sexually abuse our children and ask that God would separate anything Satan would desire and reconcile all that takes place to His own person and will.

When you pass by what my father would call a "dive", pray for the waitresses inside. Many illegals are brought here with the promise of work only to find it is slavery to the sensual appetites of evil people. Pray God will give them an escape, protect them, and bring them to Jesus.

We must also equip many of our people in Biblical Counseling. Not everyone needs a therapist. Think of it as discipleship if you will. God's Word is sufficient and superior. Only God has the answer for a broken life. Many can be used of God to help others if only they are equipped. If you do not know where to begin, contact the Pastoral Ministry office at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They can help.

I am certainly no authority in this area. However, I do believe there is a vast number of families affected by human trafficking, and the people of God have a ministry opportunity. Let's not default to a program centered, building centered "fuzzy" that is comfortable. Let's read the Gospels, see how Jesus ministered and to whom, and go and do likewise...in the power of the Holy Spirit.

October 19, 2008

I ran across this article by Charles Swindoll yesterday. I have read it twice, printed out a copy and now am passing it on to you. I cannot say it better than Swindoll.

Many of my friends are going through an incredibly difficult season. Hopefully, this will help. I got to this article by first reading this, and then googling Dan Taylor and certainty. The article by Swindoll came up.